Hasselblad unveils new Stellar compact camera modeled on Sony RX100

Hasselblad has just unveiled the new Stellar compact camera on the company's website. While Imaging Resource has not received any official announcement on the camera, which appears to be based on the Sony RX100 but with some distinctive exterior modifications, the Stellar has its own page on the Hasselblad site with images and some info on the camera.

"The Hasselblad Stellar redefines quality with its elegantly designed aluminium body and metal operation controls," the Stellar page reads. "Only the finest materials are used to craft the ergonomic handgrip, making it a beautifully powerful, pocket-sized camera."

The Hasselblad Stellar will reportedly have many of the same specifications as the 20.2-megapixel Sony RX100, which features a 1-inch sensor behind a bright 3.6x (28-100mm), f/1.8 Zeiss-branded lens in a compact body. But where the Sony RX100 is an inconspicuous-looking, black camera, the champagne-colored Hasselblad Stellar comes with several unique, Italian-designed handgrips. There are five wood grips -- Padouk Wood, Olive Wood, Zebra Wood, Mahogany, and Walnut -- and one "Carbon Fibre" grip. The mirrorless Hasselblad Lunar compact system camera, which went on sale last month for $7,000, is also based on a Sony camera (the NEX-7) and features wood or carbon fiber handgrip options.

Hasselblad has not yet responded to our request for comment on the new camera, which, according to the company's website, will be available in July for an, as yet, unannounced price. Last month, the company posted job listings for positions to help promote "2 compact cameras and a DSLR" this year. So, now that the Hasselblad Lunar and Stellar are out, that still leaves a Hasselblad-branded DSLR and, possibly, another compact camera.